Chapter Text
Prologue: Two Years Prior
We were in a dimly lit subway, deep in the sea outside of Inkopolis. We'd been there for months. I woke up from a fitful sleep, groaning from a pain in my back. I felt an unfamiliar touch on my shoulder.
"Are you alright?" Headphones whispered, sitting next to my resting body on the cot. I glanced at her watch. 4:00 am.
"Yeah… Why did you wake me up so early?" I whispered just as quietly, "is everyone else still asleep?"
Headphones nodded, barely visible with how little light was in the train. I loosened my smile, opening my eyes and gazing into hers. She'd looked unusually pretty since I saw her on those ride rails, elegantly able to hop between each one and shoot the targets with such grace. I wished she could treat me with the same grace.
"I woke you up early so we could talk. Do you wanna go over there so we don't wake them up?" Headphones gestures to the entire rest of the group, who is sleeping. Nana was awake, but she was toying with one of the walkie-talkies.
We walked to the other side of the train, far away from everyone else.
"It's not a big deal if she hears me, you know how focused she and Hachi get with things." Headphones added, "But I wanted to talk about… something about my identity that I've been thinking about for a while."
The train tracks shifted, causing a rattle and a screech. Despite this, nobody else woke up. Everyone was used to it by now, and probably really needed sleep.
"Hm? If this is about your hair, it's really not that important…" I drifted off, not even thinking.
"No no, it's more important. I… think I'm gay," Headphones confessed, staring dead into my eyes. Something twisted in my stomach, making me feel intimidated. What was going on with me? Is this place driving us crazy?
"I've been thinking about so many different people, and I feel like such a creep. It doesn't feel like I'll see them again, so I might as well confess now." Headphones began tearing up slightly, turning away as she mouthed inaudible words (that she told me later on). "I've especially been thinking of you."
Unfortunately, I didn't hear it. It felt like something unknown was being torn out of my heart. I spaced out as she turned, pulling her knees up and beginning to silently sob into them.
"Hm? What's wrong, Headphones?" I asked, leaning in close to her.
"I just don't feel like I'll live a fulfilled life. Especially without… my friends… you…" She continued to sob between words.
"It'll be okay! I know we'll get out of here, especially because we almost have the last thang!" I put on my usual fake happy persona to calm her down. "Please, I don't want you to be sad. We'll wake everyone up." I hugged her. Despite the confusion I felt at her statements, something deep in my body told me she knew I liked her, just as much. But neither of us said anything, I was too nervous and she was too hysterical.
Headphones had begun to calm down, but when she looked back up at me, she kept trying to mouth something, but I couldn't hear her. I simply continued to pat her back.
Release: a year or so later
After we had returned to the surface, I began to think deeply about my own identity, now that I wasn't in a life-or-death situation. I began to feel things tickle my stomach when we talked, or I felt hot when she held my hand. The feelings grew more intense, day by day, and I didn't even realize it was love at first. After a while, I did realize it was like the love I saw in movies, the love Headphones said was gay. I decided to call Aloha to confirm.
After he picked up, I said "Hi, Aloha! How's everything going?"
"I'm good," Aloha replied, "and you?"
"I'm alright, but I have a few questions. Actually, I have a lot of questions."
"Is this about the ranked tournament?"
"No, it's about my crush… At least, I think it's a crush. I can't tell because it doesn't feel the way it does in movies."
"Who is it~?" Aloha said in a teasing voice, "is it a girl~?"
"U-Uh, yeah… it's H-Headphones." I looked around the room to make sure Goggles wasn't eavesdropping. "She makes my brain turn to mush nowadays."
"Oh really? Definitely sounds like a crush, you should ask her out~"
"I feel like she'd be confused, since we've known each other as friends for so long."
"Bobs, when I started dating Diver, the first few trips out felt so much more special than our outings as friends, it'll be wonderful."
I growled at the nickname, but continued to talk. "I mean I'll ask, I'm scared she'll reject me."
"It'll be okay, just try it. Also I know your birthday is tomorrow, so happy early birthday!"
"Thanks… see ya soon!"
"See ya!" Aloha hung up.
I placed my phone down and stared at the wall. I was too scared to ask her, because if she said no, I'd have to get all of my feelings to go away. I was scared that she'd change her mind about being gay, or even stop being a good friend once we were together.
Real story, present
I was in bed, about to fall asleep, when a thought of her jumped back up in my head. Headphones has been with her music friends (Aloha and some other dudes) at Conchella, so I've missed her greatly. I felt a familiar tingling sensation overcome me as I imagined her whispering in my ear, kissing my neck and shoulders, and laying on top of me as I tried to sleep. I felt her kisses intensifying, sending pleasurable sparks as I felt the imaginary Headphones kiss all over my body. I leaned to the side slightly and kicked my legs to try and alleviate the sensations, moaning quietly, which at this point, the feelings are getting annoying. I couldn't stop thinking about her if it was to save my life. I'd sacrifice myself for her, and let my last look at the world be of her overwhelmingly kind face.